Control switches



Nov. 1, 1955 s. FRANK CONTROL swncmzs 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 15, 1953 INVENTOR WITNESSES: 4 74/ 7a- [a Stanley L.Fronk.

' 'ATTORNEY United States Patent Office 2,722,573 Patented Nov. 1, 1955 CONTROL SWITCHES Stanley L. Frank, Beaver, Pa., assignor to Westinghouse Electric Corporation, East Pittsburgh, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Application April 15, 1953, Serial No. 348,985

8 Claims. (Cl. 200) My invention relates, generally, to control switches and, more particularly, to switches of the pushbutton and rotary selector type, such as are of the general type described in my copending application, Serial No. 772,938, filed September 9, 1947, now Patent No. 2,669,616 issued February 16, 1954.

For certain applications for example, controlling the operation of motor driven valves in pipe lines, it is desirable that opening and closing of each valve be controlled by a single push-button switch assembly which is suitable for mounting on a control desk. Furthermore, the switch should be compact in order that a relatively large number of valves can be controlled from one desk without the desk becoming unduly large. It is also desirable that a means of indicating the last operation of a valve be provided.

Accordingly, an object of my invention is to provide a plurality of independently operable switch contact members in one push-button switch assembly.

Another object of my invention is to provide for full stroke operation of the actuating member of a pushbutton and rotary selector switch assembly.

A further object of my invention is to provide an indication of the last operation of a push-button and rotary selector switch.

Still another object of my invention is to provide a single push-button switch assembly capable of controlling the reversing of an electric motor.

Other objects of my invention will be explained fully hereinafter or will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

In accordance with one embodiment of my invention, a single push-button switch assembly has two independent ly operable switch elements disposed for operation selectively by one operating head which may be rotated to make the desired selection and then depressed to operate the selected contact members of the switch. The operating head is biased to its uppermost position when released, but remains in the position to which it was last rotated, thereby providing an indication of the last operation of the switch.

For a better understanding of the nature and objects of the invention, reference may be had to the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure l is a view, in section, taken along the line II in Fig. 2 of a push-button switch assembly embodying the principal features of the invention;

Fig. 2 is a view, in section, taken along the line 11-11 in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the switch operating head;

Fig. 4 is a bottom plan View of the switch actuating plate, the operating head and operating members being shown in broken lines; and

Fig. 5 is a view, in section, taken along the line VV in Fig. 1.

Referring to the drawings and particularly to Figs. 1 and 2, the switch structure shown therein comprises an operating unit 2 and a switch unit 4. The operating unit 2 includes a tubular supporting sleeve 6, preferably of a cast metal and having a flange 8 on the inner end thereof adapted to engage the inner side of a supporting panel 11. The flange 8 may have a positioning pin 10 secured thereto which is adapted to be received in a recess provided at a predetermined position on the inner side of panel 11, thereby determining the angular position of the switch. A sealing disc 12 composed of any desirable sealing material, such as rubber, may be interposed between the flange 8 and the inner surface of the panel 1 1.

A portion of the sleeve 6 is threaded for receiving a clamping ring 14 which is adapted to secure the sleeve to the panel 11 when the clamping ring is drawn up tightly. A name plate 16 having an extended portion at one side may be provided between the clamping ring 14 and the panel 11. The plate 16 may carry suitable indicia for proper identification of the switch and for indicating operative positions of the switch.

The supporting sleeve 6 of the switch operating unit has a transversely extending web 18 having a central opening therein for slidably receiving an operating rod 20. A combined push-button and rotary selector operating head 22 composed of an insulating material is secured to the outer end of the operating rod 20, preferably by being molded thereon. A compression spring 24 is disposed between the operating head 22 and a retainer disc 26 seated on web 18 to normally bias the operating head 22 to the outer limit of its movement.

T he outer movement of the operating head 22 is limited by an actuating disc 26 which is secured to the lower end or" the rod 2%) by a screw 23. The disc 26 has a square opening therein for receiving a square projection in? on the lower end of the rod 29, thereby causing the disc 26 to rotate with the rod 2% As shown most clearly in Fig. 4, the disc 26 has a notch 32 therein for a purpose which will be described hereinafter.

The operating head 22 has an integral projection 34 thereon for defining certain rotative positions of the operating head and for guiding the head in its reciprocating movement. The projection 34 also functions to prevent reciprocating movement of the head while it is being rotated and to prevent rotation of the head While it is being reciprocated. The sides of the projection 34 are disposed to engage opposite ends of an arcuate abutment 36 in the sleeve 6 to limit rotative movement of the head 22.

The end of the projection 34 is disposed to engage the top of an arcuate abutment 38 to prevent reciprocating the head 22 While it is being rotated. As shown most clearly in Fig. 5, spaces 33 and 35 are provided between the ends of the abutments 36 and 38 for receiving the projection 34, thereby permitting reciprocation of the head 22 at its extreme positions of rotative movement for a purpose which will be explained more fully hereinafter.

The switch unit 4 comprises a base 4%, preferably of an insulating material which is suitable for molding. The base 48 is provided with opposed recessed projections 41 and 43 on two sides thereof and has on the same sides another pair of opposed projections All of the projections 41, 42 and 43 are spaced apart so as to provide in effect a recessed space 44 between the inner ends of the several projections.

The projection 41 has a recess 46 extending throughout the length of the projection and having an outer reduced portion forming an internal shoulder' The projection 43 has a recess 47, the outer end of which is closed. Projections 42 are spaced from opposite sides of projections 41 and 43 to form spaces 43 therebetween.

Straight contact strips 54 are disposed in suitable slots 52 provided at the inner sides of each projection 42 for receiving one edge of the contact strip with the opposite edge being received by a slot provided by a recessed projection 43. The inner end of each contact strip 54 is seated in a slot Each contact strip 54 is provided with a contact button 60 disposed within the space Generally U-shaped contact strips 62 are disposed above the contact strips 54-. The U-shaped contact strips 62 each have one leg carrying a contact button 64. The bight portion of each contact 62 engages the base 46 with the other leg of each contact strip 62 extending beyond projections 42 and resting against a flange 7G integral with each projection Such other legs of each contact strip 62, as well as the outer ends of contact strips 64, are provided with terminal screws 66 for the purpose of securing conductors thereto. The contact strips 5- and 62 are maintained against withdrawal from slots 52 by a cover 68 which may be attached to the base 43 by screws 69 disposed in openings 67 provided on opposite sides of the base The switch unit includes a pair of operating members '72, preferably molded from an insulating material, and disposed in the recesses 46 of base projections 41. Each operating member has a reduced operating extension 74 extending through the reduced recess opening at the outer end of projections 41 to provide a shoulder 76 around three sides of operating member 72 which is engageable with the shoulder adjacent the outer end of recess 46 to limit the extent of outer movement of the operating 3 member.

A contact supporting strip '75 is secured to the inner end of operating member 72 and has a bridging contact bar '73 slidably mounted thereon. The bridging contact bar 73 is provided with contact buttons 88 on opposite sides thereof at each end of the bar for cooperation with the respective contact buttons of contact strips 54 and 62.

The contact supporting strip 7:; has a reduced extension 32 on which is slipped a spring supporting sleeve 34 also preferably composed of an insulating material. A coil compression spring 86 is disposed in recess d7 of base projection 4-3 to react between the closed end of this recess and sleeve 84 to normally bias operating member '72 to its outermost position where the contact buttons of bridging contact bar 78 engage the upper contacts 62 mounted on the base. A coil compression spring 37 which is Weak relative to spring 86 is provided on contact supporting strip 75 and reacts between operating member 72 and the contact bridging bar 78.

It will be apparent that each operating member 72 for v the switch unit may be depressed by exerting pressure on the outer end of its operating extension 74 to be moved from the position illustrated in the drawings wherein the contact buttons of bridging bar 73 engage the upper set of stationary contact strips to a position where they engage the lower set of stationary contact strips. more, the extension 74 may be moved beyond this position because of the slidable mounting of the bridging contact bar on contact supporting strip 75 with such movement acting to compress spring 87 as well as spring 86. As soon as the operating extension 7 is released, the spring 86 will return the parts to the position illustrated in the drawings wherein bridging contact bar 78 has its contacts in engagement with the upper set of stationary contact members.

The switch unit 4 and the operating unit 2 may be assembled in operative relation by screws 90 extending through openings provided at opposite ends of base of the switch unit 4. The switch unit may be so positioned that the screws 96 may engage in either pair of opposed pairs of threaded sockets 91 provided in the flange 8 of the operating unit sleeve 6.

The switch unit 4 is a double unit in that the base is provided with contact strips 54 and 62 in recesses at opposite sides with a movable contact assembly for each set of stationary contact members. The movable contact assemblies are actuated independently by separate operating extensions 74. Upon depression of the operating head 22, the actuating disc 26 will engage one or the other of the separate extensions 74 depending upon the rotative positionofthe-operatinghead. The other oper- Furtherating extension 74 will pass through the notch 32 in the disc 26, thereby preventing the depressing of that member 74.

As previously explained, the extension 34 on the operaiing head 22 can enter one or the other of the spaces 33 or 35 between the abutments 36 and 38 to permit depressing the head 22. Thus, if it is desired to actuate the bridging contact bar for one set of stationary contact members, the head 22 is rotated to a position in which the extension 34 can enter the space 33 and the head is then depressed to actuate the selected bridging contact bar. Likewise, if it is desired to actuate the bridging contact bar for the other set of contact members, the head is rotated to a position in which the extension 34 can enter the space 35, after which the head is depressed to actuate the bridging contact bar.

it will be noted that the arcuate abutment 38 prevents depressing or reciprocation of the operating head while it is being rotated from one extreme rotative position to the other. Also, the ends of the abutments 36 and 38 engage the sides of the extension 34 to prevent rotation of the head while it is being depressed. Thus, full stroke operation of the bridging contact bars from the uppermost position to the lowermost position is obtained by the reciprocating movement of the operating head 22 and not by rotative movement of the head.

As shown most clearly in Fig. 3, one end of the top of the operating head 22 is beveled and an arrow 92 may be provided on the top surface of the head 22. Since the operating head remains in its last rotative position while being depressed to actuate the selected bridging contact bar, the arrow 92 and the beveled end of the head indicate the last selected operation of the switch, thereby enabling the operator to determine which operation was performed previously.

From the foregoing description, it is apparent that I have devised a switch unit which provides two complete push buttons in one assembly either one of which may be independently operated by means of one operating head. The switch is of the momentary contact type and may be utilized to control the opening and the closing of a pipe-line valve which is driven by an electric motor or the switch may be utilized for other applications requiring the reversing of an electric motor. The switch is so constructed that it indicates the last selected operation of the valve or other apparatus being controlled. The switch is relatively simple in construction and it may be readily installed on a panel or in a suitable housing.

Since numerous changes may be made in the abovedescribed construction and diiferent embodiments of the invention may be made without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, it is intended that all matter contained in the foregoing description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a control switch, in combination, tubular supporting means, two sets of spaced pairs of stationary contact means, a bridging contact member for each of said sets of contact means movable into and out of engagement with the contact means of its respective set of contact means, a reciprocable operating member for each bridging contact member, actuating means for selectively actuating said operating members comprising an actuating rod mounted for rotary movement and longitudinal sliding movement in a direction paralleling the direction of reciprocable movement of said operating members, an actuating member secured to one end of said rod and having a notch therein, said operating members being biased toward said actuating member, an operating head secured to the other end of the actuating rod for rotating said actuating member without reciprocating the actuating member to select a desired operating member and for reciprocating said actuating member to actuate said selected operating member and its associated bridging contactmember through their entire'range of travel, the

notch in said actuating member permitting operation of the selected operating member Without operating the nonselected operating member, and stop means in said supporting means cooperating with said operating head to permit rotation of the head while preventing reciprocation of the head and to permit reciprocation of the head while preventing rotation of the head.

2. In a control switch, in combination, tubular sup porting means, two sets of spaced pairs of stationary contact means, a bridging contact member for each of said sets of contact means movable into and out of engagement with the contact means of its respective set of contact means, a reciprocable operating member for each bridging contact member, actuating means for selectively actuating said operating members comprising an actuating rod mounted for rotary movement and longitudinal sliding movement in a direction paralleling the direction of reciprocable movement of said operating members, a substantially flat actuating disc secured to one end of said rod and having a notch therein, said operating members being biased toward said disc, an operating head disposed in the tubular supporting means and secured to the other end of the actuating rod for rotating said disc without reciprocating the disc to select a desired operating member and for reciprocating said disc to actuate said selected operating member and its associated bridging contact member through their entire range of travel, the notch in said disc permitting operation of the selected operating member without operating the non-selected operating member, and stop means in said supporting means cooperating with said operating head to permit rotation of the head while preventing reciprocation of the head and to permit reciprocation of the head while preventing rotation of the head.

3. In a control switch, in combination, tubular supporting means, two sets of spaced pairs of stationary contact means, a bridging contact member for each of said sets of contact means movable into and out of engagement with the contact means of its respective set of contact means, a reciprocable operating member for each bridging contact member, actuating means for selectively actuating said operating members comprising an actuating rod mounted for rotary movement and longitudinal sliding movement in a direction paralleling the direction of reciprocable movement of said supporting members, a substantially flat actuating disc secured to one end of said rod and having a notch therein, said operating members being biased toward said disc, a direction indicating operating head rotatably and reciprocably disposed in the tubular supporting means and secured to the other end of the actuating rod for rotating said disc to select a desired operating member and for reciprocating said disc to actuate said selected operating member and its associated bridging contact member, the notch in said disc permitting operation of the selected operating member without operating the non-selected operating member, and stop means in said supporting means cooperating with said operating head to permit rotation of the head while preventing reciprocation of the head and to permit reciprocation of the head while preventing rotation of the head, said operating head being reciprocable through its entire range of travel at a plurality of selected rotative positions said head indicating the last selected operation of the switch.

4. In a control switch, in combination, tubular supporting means, two sets of spaced pairs of stationary contact means, a bridging contact member for each of said sets of contact means movable into and out of engagement with the contact means of its respective set of contact means, a reciprocable operating member for each bridging contact member, actuating means for selectively actuating said operating members comprising an actuating rod mounted for rotary movement and longitudinal sliding movement in a direction paralleling the direction of reciprocable movement of said operating members, a substantially flat actuating disc secured to one end of said rod and having a notch therein, said operating members being biased toward said disc, an operating head disposed in the tubular supporting means and secured to the other end of the actuating rod for rotating said disc without reciprocating the disc to select a desired operating member and for reciprocating said disc to actuate said selected operating member and its associated bridging contact member through their entire range of travel, said bridging contact member being disengaged from one pair of contact means and actuated into engagement with its other pair of contact means by said selected operating member, the notch in said disc permitting operation of the selected operating member without operating the nonselected operating member, and stop means in said supporting means cooperating with said operating head to permit rotation of the head while preventing reciprocation of the head and to permit reciprocation of the head While preventing rotation of the head.

5. In a control switch, in combination, tubular supporting means, two sets of spaced pairs of stationary contact means, a bridging contact member for each of said sets of contact means movable into and out of engagement with the contact means of its respective set of contact means, a reciprocable operating member for each bridging contact member, actuating means for selectively actuating said operating members comprising an actuating rod mounted for rotary movement and longitudinal sliding movement in a direction paralleling the direction of reciprocable movement of said operating members, a substantially flat actuating disc secured to one end of said rod and having a notch therein, said operating members being biased toward said disc, an operating head disposed in the tubular supporting means and secured to the other end of the actuating rod for rotating said disc without reciprocating the disc to select a desired operating member and for reciprocating said disc to actuate said selected operating member and its associated bridging contact member through their entire range of travel, said bridging contact member being actuated the full distance between its associated stationary contact means by reciprocating said disc, the notch in said disc permitting operation of the selected operating member without operating the non-selected operating member, and stop means in said supporting means cooperating with said operating head to permit rotation of the head while preventing reciprocation of the head and to permit reciprocation of the head while preventing rotation of the head.

6, In a control switch, in combination, tubular supporting means, two sets of spaced pairs of stationary contact means, a bridging contact member for each of said sets of contact means movable into and out of engagement with the contact means of its respective set of contact means, a reciprocable operating member for each bridging contact member, actuating means for selectively actuating said operating members comprising an actuating rod mounted for rotary movement and longitudinal sliding movement in a direction paralleling the direction of reciprocable movement of said operating members, an actuating disc secured to one end of said rod and having a notch therein, said operating members being biased toward said disc, an operating head rotatable and reciprocable relative to the supporting means and secured to the other end of the actuating rod for rotating said disc to select a desired operating member and for reciprocating said disc to actuate said selected operating member and its associated bridging contact member, the notch in said disc permitting operation of the selected operating member Without operating the non-selected operating member, an inwardly extending projection on said operating head, and an arcuate abutment in said supporting means having its ends positioned to be engaged by said projection to limit rotative movement of said head, said operating head being reciprocable through its entire range of travel at a plurality of selected positions.

7. In a control switch, in combination, tubular supporting means, two sets of spaced pairs of stationary contact means, a bridging contact member for each of said sets of contact means movable into and out of engagement with the contact means of its respective set of contact means, a reciprocable operating member for each bridging contact member, actuating means for selectively actuating said operating members comprising an actuating rod mounted for rotary movement and longitudinal sliding movement in a direction paralleling the direction of reciprocable movement of said operating members, an actuating disc secured to one end of said rod and having a notch therein, said operating members being biased toward said disc, an operating head rotatable and reciprocable relative to the supporting means and secured to the other end of the actuating rod for rotating said disc to select a desired operating member and for reciprocating said disc to actuate said selected operating member and its associated bridging contact member, the notch in said disc permitting operation of the selected operating member without operating the non-selected operating member, an inwardly extending projection on said operating head, annularly spaced stop abutments in said supporting means for engaging said projection to limit rotative movement of said head, and arcuate abutment in said supporting means intermediate said spaced abutments for preventing reciprocating movement of said head, and opposite ends of said arcuate abutment being spaced from said spaced abutments, respectively, a distance to accommodate said projection to permit reciprocating movement of said head through its entire range of travel at two spaced rotative positions thereof while preventing rotation thereof during such reciprocating movement.

8. In a control switch, in combination, tubular supporting means, two sets of spaced pairs of stationary contact means, a bridging contact member for each of said sets of contact means movable into and out of engagement with the contact means of its respective set of contact means, a reciprocable operating member for each bridging contact member, actuating means for selectively actuating said operating members comprising an actuating rod mounted for rotary movement and longitudinal sliding movement in a direction paralleling the direction of reciprocable movement of said operating members, an actuating disc secured to one end of said rod and having a notch therein, said operating members being biased toward said disc, an operating head rotatable and reciprocable relative to the supporting means secured to the other end of the actuating rod for rotating said disc to select a desired operating member and for reciprocating said disc to actuate said selected operating member and its associated bridging contact member, the notch in said disc permitting operation of the selected operating member without operating the non-selected operating member, an inwardly extending projection on said operating head, annularly spaced stop abutments in said supporting means for engaging the sides of said projection to limit rotative movement of said head, an arcuate abutment in said supporting means between said spaced abutments for engaging the end of said projection to prevent reciprocation of said head while permitting rotation of the head, and opposite ends of said arcuate abutment being spaced from said spaced abutments, respectively, a distance to accommodate said projection to permit reciprocation of said head through its entire range of travel at two spaced rotative positions thereof while preventing rotation of the head during such reciprocation.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,806,831 Simmen May 26, 1931 2,305,185 Merkel Dec. 15, 1942 2,357,971 Robbins Sept. 12, 1944 2,488,982 Mekelburg Nov. 22, 1949 

